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The worldview of the wor
Artist: MADARA
The Way of the Samurai is not a tribute to warriors of the past.
It is a work that questions how one can remain grounded and true while standing in fear in the present world.
Bushido is not about battle or death itself.
It is an inner discipline shaped by honor, courage, loyalty, discipline, humility, and justice—
principles that define how a human being chooses to live.
This artwork is composed in MADARA’s original poetic form,
the Five-Character, Ten-Line Poem,
which expands upon classical structure not to preserve tradition as a fixed form,
but to allow its spirit to continue evolving.
The gold ink is not decorative.
It represents resolve rather than glory.
The deep green washi creates a space of stillness and introspection,
where the viewer confronts their own inner code.
Each sheet of washi is hand-pulled and hand-dyed,
resulting in subtle variations in thickness, color, and size.
These irregularities affirm the beauty of imperfection
and the dignity of living while carrying human fragility.
The diptych format emphasizes that this work exists only as a whole.
It may be divided physically, but never completed separately.
The Way of the Samurai is not solitary strength,
but a path sustained through commitment and relationship.
This work offers a quiet yet unwavering path—
one that transcends time, culture, and era,
and speaks directly to those living today.
Behind the Scenes
This work, The Way of the Samurai, did not begin with a clear, finished form in mind.
Rather, it was shaped through a long process of questioning, revision, and reduction.
The piece presented here is the ninth work in this series, and only at this point did it reach a form worthy of public release.
The starting point was an email from overseas expressing a deep personal connection to Bushido.
Although Bushido is often described as a sentiment unique to the Japanese, the intensity of this message revealed how profoundly it can influence the lives and values of people beyond Japan.
I felt genuine respect for this pursuit of “Japaneseness,” which in some ways surpassed that of many Japanese themselves.
At the same time, through exchanges where the word Bushido risked being reduced to a superficial image or having its value distorted, I was compelled to ask myself again:
What is the Way of the Samurai?
And for whom does it truly exist?
Bushido is not something to be displayed.
It is not a strength shown to others, nor a force meant to overpower.
It is an inner code—a discipline that prevents one from betraying oneself even in fear and uncertainty.
When I arrived at this understanding, I realized that the work could not remain a simple piece of classical Chinese text.
The form itself had to become part of the artwork.
This led me to create an original poetic structure: the Five-Character, Ten-Line Poem, expanding upon traditional five-character verse.
Rather than fixing form in order to preserve tradition,
this work evolves form in order to carry its spirit forward.
I believe this approach allowed the meaning to deepen, the visual balance to strengthen, and the overall presence of the work to shine more fully.
The work is created on hand-pulled, hand-dyed washi paper.
Each sheet carries subtle variations in thickness, color, and size.
These irregularities are traces of the human hand and resonate with the image of imperfect human beings who nonetheless choose to live by conviction.
This piece is a diptych, completed only when the two panels exist together.
Though it may be physically divided, it cannot stand alone.
This reflects the essence of the Way of the Samurai—not isolated strength, but resolve sustained within relationship.
Each stroke of gold ink is imbued not with decoration, but with intention.
What shines here is not glory, but determination.
This work does not depict samurai of the past.
It is a quiet inquiry for those living today—
asking what we believe in, and how we choose to be.
Meaning of the work
武士之道（Bu-Shi-No-Michi）”The Way of the Samurai”
武道存於死（Budou-Shini-Sonsu）
meaning : The Way of the Samurai lies in death.
名生立其志（Meini-Yorite-Sono-Kokorozashiwo-Tatsu）
meaning : He lives by honor and establishes his resolve.
勇死明其心（Yuuwomotte-Sono-Kokorowo-Akirakanisu）
meaning : Through courage, he clarifies his heart.
懼眾終貫忠（Hitobito-Osorerutomo-Tsuini-Sono-Chuwo-Tsuranuku）
meaning : Though many may fear, he remains unwavering in loyalty.
內修規與謙（Uchini-Kito-Kenwo-Osamu）
meaning : Within, he cultivates discipline and humility.
外行義與直（Sotoni-Gito-Chokuwo-Okonau）
meaning : Without, he practices justice and righteousness.
守魂如鋼定（Tamashiiwo-Haganeno-Gotoku-Sadamu）
meaning : He sets his soul firm, like tempered steel.
養氣似水柔（Kiwa-Mizuno-Gotoku-Yawarakaku-Yashinau）
meaning : He nurtures his spirit with the softness of water.
此道承不朽（Kono-Michiwa-Uketsugarete-Kuchizu）
meaning : This path is carried on, never decaying.
永途照人間（Eienno-Michitoshite-Yowo-Terasu）
meaning : An eternal way that illuminates the human world.
Work details
| item | Content |
|---|---|
| The basis of the work | Wood Campus |
| Material | wood, Japanese paper（Washi） |
| Size | F30 35.Each panel: F10 530 mm (20.9 in) × 455 mm (17.9 in) × 20 mm (0.75 in) Structure: Created using two F10 canvases, forming a single artwork as a diptych. |
| Materials used | Hand-pulled washi paper mounted on a wooden canvas, gold ink, gesso, and starch paste |
| Finishing the work | The wooden canvas is primed with gesso, calligraphy paper (washi paper) is pasted on top, and the painting is finished with ink. |
| Regarding domestic and international shipping | ・International shipping available: Ships via FedEx if no designated shipping company is specified. ・Domestic shipping in Japan: Ships via Yamato Transport if no designated shipping company is specified. |
| Packaging at time of shipment | We can also accommodate requests for packaging such as simple packaging and heavy-duty packaging, so please contact us for details. |
| Shipping | Decisions will be made in consultation with the buyer, such as using transportation suitable for art works and taking out insurance. |
| Compensation for works | The artwork will be delivered in the same condition as when it was sold. If you would like to purchase art insurance, we are happy to discuss this. |
| Payment Method | The payment amount is the artwork price plus shipping. Payment can be made by credit card. |
A certificate of authenticity is included.
